The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay

“A sinister atmosphere leeches into the story, and a nightmare figure called Longfingers finds footing in the real world. Readers—especially fans of Lora Senf’s The Clackity—will happily tiptoe among them.” —Booklist

“This tale has all the trappings of a summer horror story, with slightly grotesque body horror (which may not be for the faint of heart) and an underlying tension that keeps the story moving at a quick pace. Plenty of unexpected twists and turns will pique the interest of new and old horror readers alike.” —BCCB

“A young ghost and a living girl face down an evil threat. One of Averling’s strengths is her ear for fresh figurative language…As she did in her debut, Averling endows her young protagonist with a mysterious supernatural origin story, a beguilingly weird setting, and an anchoring friend.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Mary Averling has crafted a spooky tale full of love, heartbreak, and the importance of facing the truth. The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay is a truly original tale that reminds us that the only way to truly know ourselves is to face the scariest parts of our story. This is an instant classic.” —Ally Malinenko, author of Bram Stoker Award finalist This Appearing House and Ghost Girl

“Fast-paced and full of heart, Mary Averling’s The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay pulled me in from the first page and didn’t let me go until the last word. Twelve-year-old Maudie is an easy character to love—she’s scared and brave and imperfect and relatable. Young readers who enjoy a spooky, magical adventure are going to love this book. I do and I did. This one belongs on school and library shelves everywhere.” —Lora Senf, Bram Stoker Award–winning author of the Blight Harbor series

“Just like the fog in Bitterfly Bay, this story creeps in and envelops you in its dark and strange atmosphere. A perfect balance of scares and thrills for middle grade readers, seamlessly blended with themes of hope, family, and belonging.” —Nicole Lesperance, author of The Nightmare Thief and The Wide Starlight

“I have never rooted for a ghost before, but I was rooting for Maudie right from the start. The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay is a captivating story full of voice, thrills, and a whole lot of heart.” —Supriya Kelkar, award–winning author of American as Paneer Pie and The Cobra’s Song

“A delightfully creepy, heartfelt adventure, bursting with imagination. Read with the lights on!” —MarcyKate Connolly, New York Times bestselling author of Shadow Weaver and The Thirteenth Circle

“As charming as it is creepy, The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay will transport readers through the veil and into a magical, twisty tale of family, friends, fear, and second chances that both sparks suspense and warms the heart.” —Justine Pucella Winans, author of the Stonewall Honor Book The Otherwoods

“Chilling, evocative, and brave—embrace your fears and meet the heartfelt ghosts of Bitterfly Bay who will continue to haunt you long after the last page.” —Kamilla Benko, USA Today bestselling author of Frozen II: Forest of Shadows

“In The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay, the weather is otherworldly, the flora and fauna are fluorescent, and your fellow vacationers hail from across the mortal veil. You won’t want to miss this enthralling tale full of wonder, enchantment, and chills.” —Rob Renzetti, Cartoon Network creator and author of The Horrible Bag of Terrible Things

Mary Averling grew up across England and Canada, never far from the woods. She has degrees from the University of Victoria and Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge. Since she can’t stay away from libraries for very long, she is currently working toward her PhD in Ontario, where she lives surrounded by all the magical, spooky, heartfelt books she can find.

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